Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Owner of Consulting Company Pleads Guilty to Failure to File Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 1, 2022, Reverend Terrence D. Griffith, age 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab for failure to file a tax return.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Griffith was the President of Clearwater Consulting Associates, Inc., located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reverend Griffith, as the responsible party for this company, failed to file a tax return for the year 2015. As a part of his guilty plea, Reverend Griffith also acknowledged that he failed to file tax returns for the years 2013-2016 for the consulting firm.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is one year of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
# # #
Northumberland County Doctor Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Operating A Massive “Pill Mill”Read the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Raymond Kraynak, age 65, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 3, 2022, to 15 years’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Kraynak to pay restitution in the amount of $22,365 to the victims or their families.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kraynak previously pled guilty on September 23, 2021, to 12 counts of unlawful distribution and dispensing of a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose. Kraynak also admitted that the Schedule II narcotic opioid drugs that he prescribed resulted in the deaths of five of his patients.
Kraynak’s sentence followed Chief Judge Brann’s denial of his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. The guilty plea occurred after 13 days of trial testimony after the government rested its case-in-chief. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Kraynak agreed to the 15-year term of imprisonment on each of the twelve counts he pleaded guilty to and the sentences will run concurrently.
Kraynak was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 20, 2017, in a 19-count indictment charging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, causing the death of five patients by the unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, and maintaining two drug-involved premises, one in Mt. Carmel and the other Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Kraynak stopped seeing patients and surrendered his license in December 2017 when he was arraigned in federal court on the indictment.
Kraynak operated two offices, one in Mt. Carmel and the other in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, both known as Keystone Family Medicine Associates, and prescribed approximately 9.5 million units of oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxycontin and fentanyl to patients between January 2014 and July 31, 2017. The prosecution evidence included testimony from DEA analysts that Kraynak was the top prescriber of opioids in Pennsylvania in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and during those years prescribed more opioids than both the Veterans Medical Center in Pittsburgh and the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia.
The prosecution’s evidence at trial also included testimony by a medical expert that Kraynak continued to prescribe high doses of opioids despite knowing that patients had previously been treated for drug overdoses, respiratory problems and other medical conditions increasing the risks of overdose and death.
The prosecution’s evidence also established that Kraynak, in prescribing these opioids to multiple patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, and did so without conducting a proper medical examination, inadequately verifying the patient’s medical complaint, and failing to assess the risk of abuse by individual patients.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, Shamokin Police Department, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office, the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office, and Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William Behe and George Rocktashel prosecuted the case.
# # #
York County Man Charged with Theft of Federal Program FundsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Leonard Hart, age 50, of Mount Wolf, PA, was charged in a criminal information with theft of Federal Program Funds.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the criminal information alleges that in May 2018, Hart obtained by fraud and misapplied approximately $6,400 from Lincoln Charter School, York, Pennsylvania, while employed as the CEO and Principal of the school. During that time, the school received grants funded by the U.S Department of Education.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Canadian Citizen Charged with Interference with Flight CrewRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sebastian Bien-Aine, age 20, a citizen of Toronto, Canada, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 26, 2022, for a charge of interference with flight crew.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 24, 2022, Bien-Aine was a passenger on the Porter Airlines, Flight 134, that departed Newark, New Jersey with final destination of Toronto, Canada. During the flight, Bien-Aine left his seat and charged the flight deck door and attempted to enter the door which ultimately required the plane to land in Avoca, Pennsylvania. Bien-Aine was taken into custody by the FBI upon arrival in Avoca.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Florida Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Covid-19 Related Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jorice Williams Dennard, age 25, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced on July 26, 2022, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 24 months and 1 day of imprisonment to be followed by a 2-year term of supervised release for the offenses of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Dennard submitted a false application to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits using the personal identification information, including name, birth date, and social security number, of another person. Dennard then traveled to Jim Thorpe, PA, in an effort to obtain a package addressed to his identity theft victim that contained a debit card in the victim’s name with a balance of over $14,000 in PUA funds. Dennard was arrested at the Jim Thorpe Post Office.
This case was investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
# # #
Lancaster County Man Sentenced to 87 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Jose Antonio Ramos a/k/a “One,” age 40, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 14, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 87 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ramos previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine hydrochloride and 5 grams and more of methamphetamine. Ramos was the Sergeant at Arms of the Infamous Ryders Outlaw Motorcycle Gang that was responsible for an extensive drug operation in Lancaster County.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
Dauphin County Man Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Brian Pena Villanueva, age 38, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 14, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 48 months’ imprisonment for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on January 7, 2022, Villanueva pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of a substance containing fentanyl. In July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant for two vehicles associated with Villanueva and two hotel rooms in Cumberland County. During the search, law enforcement officers seized over 3,800 bags of fentanyl.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the York County Drug Task Force, and the Fairview Township Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
York County Man Sentenced to over Ten Years in Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeremy Michael Kohler, age 34, of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 130 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kohler was indicted for his role in methamphetamine trafficking. On July 2, 2020, Kohler and his codefendant, Nicole Botterbusch, were stopped in a vehicle with over 400 grams of methamphetamine. Both Kohler and Botterbusch previously entered guilty pleas to drug trafficking. Botterbusch is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Texas Man Charged with Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Torres, age 31, of San Antonio, Texas, was indicted on July 14, 2022, by a federal grand jury on a drug trafficking charge.
According to United States Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Torres with possession with intent to distribute at more than 500 grams of cocaine on May 31, 2022, in Centre County.
This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine is 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine. A sentence for each of these offenses also includes a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
Reading Man Indicted for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Michael Gomez, age 27, of Reading, Pennsylvania was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Gomez trafficked 50 grams and more of methamphetamine in Shamokin, Northumberland County. The indictment charges Gomez with distributing methamphetamine on July 6, 2022, and with possessing additional methamphetamine with intent to distribute on July 13, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 40 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Luzerne County Woman Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Madeline Nieves, age 48, of Plains, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on tax fraud and conspiracy offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Nieves conspired with other individuals to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in connection with a temporary staffing company, Encore Staffing Solutions LLC (Encore), that she and her coconspirators owned and operated. Encore leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania. Nieves also was charged with 10 counts of failing to report Encore employee wages to the IRS, resulting in approximately $67,000 in employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Encore to the IRS. Nieves further was charged with three counts of tax evasion, for failing to report her own personal income from Encore. The tax fraud activities allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2020.
Two other individuals were previously convicted in this investigation and await sentencing:
- Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore. Holmes also pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of a Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two temporary staffing companies, one of which was Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees. The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer.
- Nari Lam, age 29, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS. From 2016 through 2020, Lam, the owner of Pennsylvania-based temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Harrisburg Man Sentenced to over 13 Years in Prison for Serving as Lookout During A Pharmacy RobberyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kenrick Groover-Floyd, age 34, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 20, 2022, to 160 months' imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for robbery.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kenrick Groover-Floyd pled guilty to robbery for his role in the April 8, 2019, robbery of a Rite Aid pharmacy in Harrisburg. Groover-Floyd served as a lookout, while his confederates stole cash and over 3,000 pills from the pharmacy. As Judge Wilson explained when she imposed sentence, Groover-Floyd facilitated the robbery as much as the other codefendants in the case. Judge Wilson also noted Groover-Floyd’s long criminal history and the fact that he committed this crime while he was out on bail for unrelated local charges when imposing the sentence.
Groover-Floyd’s codefendants pled guilty to their roles in this robbery, as well as their roles in a string of robberies committed on April 6, 2019. Brandon Harris, age 29, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 192 months’ imprisonment; Childes Neely, age 30, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 181 months in prison; and David Rinehardt, age 21, of Statesville, North Carolina, was sentenced to 111 months in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation brought this case in conjunction with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Previously Deported Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry and Covid-19 Related Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Pedro Hernandez-Romero, age 30, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty on July 19, 2022, to the offenses of illegal reentry of a removed alien, social security account fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hernandez-Romero, a previously deported alien, pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the country without authorization and subsequently using the identity and social security number of a United States citizen to obtain COVID-19 related benefits, including approximately $26,000.00 in Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 9 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
# # #
Previously Deported Mexican Men Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on July 19, 2022, Juan Esdrada-Beret, age 41, and Mario Luna-Zarate, age 38, were indicted by a federal grand jury for the offense of Illegal Reentry into the United States.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Esdrada-Beret, a citizen of Mexico, had been previously removed in April 2018 and is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after that date. He was located in Schuylkill County in June 2022.
Luna-Zarate, a citizen of Mexico, was previously removed in May 2020, and is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime thereafter. He was located in Schuylkill County in June 2022.
The cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffery St John and Phillip J. Caraballo.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses is 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Reading Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Federal AgentRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Damar Coad, 20, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for the armed robbery of a federal agent.
According to Unites States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Coad pleaded guilty to robbing the federal agent, who was acting in an undercover capacity, at gunpoint during an operation in Schuylkill County. On September 17, 2020, the Federal agent arranged to meet Coad and John Fidanqui-Marten to purchase approximately $7,500 worth of methamphetamine in Frackville Borough. When the agent approached the two men they demanded the drug buy-money at gunpoint. The agent turned over the money and a high speed chased ensued. Police took the men into custody shortly thereafter.
Fidanqui-Marten, 20, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty for his participation in the robbery on July 5, 2022, and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Shenandoah Borough Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
New Jersey Men Sentenced in Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patrick Barkers-Woode, age 30, of Pine Hill, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 13, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 111 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release.
On November 22, 2019, both Barkers-Woode and co-defendant Nana Mensah were convicted on 15 counts of mail fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft. Mensah is awaiting sentencing.
Judge Wilson also sentenced co-defendant Jason Moskovitz to 39 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. On November 14, 2019, Moskovitz pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Barkers-Woode and Moskovitz were both ordered to pay restitution to Sprint, Inc. in the amount of $357,565.92 and Moskovitz was ordered to forfeit $576,929 and 107 electronic devices.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the defendants were involved in an international scheme in which co-conspirators would steal victims’ identity in order to open Sprint Cell phone accounts. As part of opening the new accounts, the co-conspirators would order new cell phones and have them delivered to vacant homes where they would be picked up by other co-conspirators and eventually resold. At trial, the Government presented evidence that the conspiracy involved over 270 packages, containing over 830 cell phones, valued at over $595,000. Further, the conspiracy took advantage of over 240 identity theft victims.
The case was prosecuted by Homeland Security Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Delaware State Police, and the Derry Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott R. Ford and Christian T. Haugsby are prosecuting the case.
# # #
Mexican Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm and Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Efrain Cabrera-Cabrera, age 35, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 18 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and illegal re-entry into the United States as a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Cabrera-Cabrera, a citizen of Mexico, previously admitted that in June 2021, he possessed a loaded AR-15 rifle in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He also admitted that he had entered the United States after previously being removed from the country in 2010. It is expected that Cabrera-Cabrera will be removed to Mexico after the completion of his sentence.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
# # #
Previously Deported Honduras Man Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marvin Javier Godoy-Mendoza, age 46, a citizen of Honduras, was charged by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2022, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Godoy-Mendoza was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in February 2013, and illegally reentered the United States again sometime thereafter. Godoy-Mendoza was found in the United States in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts.
Godoy-Mendoza faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Luzerne County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jon Robert Donohue, age 29, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Donohue possessed with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine and over 50 grams of methamphetamine on May 9, 2022, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The indictment also alleges that Donohue possessed various ammunition and multiple firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking. The indictment further alleges that Donohue possessed the ammunition and firearms after being prohibited to possess firearms due to a prior felony conviction.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Luzerne County Adult Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Jamaican National Extradited to United States in Connection with Federal Charges Related to Fraudulent Sweepstakes Scheme that Targeted Elderly Victims in United StatesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – A resident of St. James Parish, Jamaica was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance in federal court in Scranton, Pennsylvania on charges relating to his participation in a phony sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States, the Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today.
Damone D. Oakley, 40, of the Point District, St. James Parish, was charged in a 16-count indictment with mail and wire fraud. The indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in June 2021 and was unsealed after the defendant’s extradition to the United States.
According to the indictment, Oakley sought to unlawfully enrich himself through a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme targeting the elderly. Victims throughout the United States received mailings, text messages or phone calls in which they were falsely told that they had won millions of dollars and luxury vehicles in a sweepstakes, but first needed to pay taxes and fees in order to claim their winnings. The indictment alleges that Oakley, using a variety of names, including “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine,” instructed his victims on how to send their money (and to whom the funds should be sent), including through the use of wire transfers, direct bank deposits, the U.S. Postal Service and private commercial mail carriers. Victims were directed to send money directly to Oakley as well as to individuals in the United States and elsewhere who served as intermediaries and transmitted the money to Oakley. In addition to sending cash or wire transfers, the indictment alleges that victims were directed to purchase electronics, jewelry and clothing, and to then have the purchased items shipped to mail forwarding services in Florida. The victims never received any “winnings.”
“The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch is committed to pursuing criminals who defraud vulnerable U.S. consumers – both domestically and abroad – and to prosecuting them to the full extent of the law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This is the first extradition requested by the United States in accordance with the evidentiary rules contained in Jamaica’s recently revised Extradition Act, and we are encouraged by the streamlined extradition process that led to the defendant’s appearance in federal court to face these charges.”
“Scammers like these are targeting the most vulnerable people in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, we are proud to prioritize and prosecute individuals who engage in such acts and commend our law enforcement partners who help make these results possible.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating scammers, domestically and internationally, who use the U.S. mail to enrich themselves by targeting and financially exploiting the most vulnerable of American consumers – the elderly,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “Today’s extradition exemplifies the Postal Inspection Service’s efforts to collaborate with foreign and domestic law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Lottery Scam Task Force and the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team provided critical assistance.
The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seeks to halt the widespread losses seniors suffer from fraud schemes. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
# # #
Jamaican National Extradited to United States in Connection with Federal Charges Related to Fraudulent Sweepstakes Scheme that Targeted Elderly Victims in United StatesRead the Press Release
A resident of St. James Parish, Jamaica, was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance in federal court in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on charges relating to his participation in a phony sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States, the Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today.
Damone D. Oakley, 40, of the Point District, St. James Parish, was charged in a 16-count indictment with mail and wire fraud. The indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in June 2021 and was unsealed after the defendant’s extradition to the United States.
According to the indictment, Oakley sought to unlawfully enrich himself through a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme targeting the elderly. Victims throughout the United States received mailings, text messages or phone calls in which they were falsely told that they had won millions of dollars and luxury vehicles in a sweepstakes, but first needed to pay taxes and fees in order to claim their winnings. The indictment alleges that Oakley, using a variety of names, including “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine,” instructed his victims on how to send their money (and to whom the funds should be sent), including through the use of wire transfers, direct bank deposits, the U.S. Postal Service and private commercial mail carriers. Victims were directed to send money directly to Oakley as well as to individuals in the United States and elsewhere who served as intermediaries and transmitted the money to Oakley. In addition to sending cash or wire transfers, the indictment alleges that victims were directed to purchase electronics, jewelry and clothing, and to then have the purchased items shipped to mail forwarding services in Florida. The victims never received any “winnings.”
“The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch is committed to pursuing criminals who defraud vulnerable U.S. consumers – both domestically and abroad – and to prosecuting them to the full extent of the law,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This is the first extradition requested by the United States in accordance with the evidentiary rules contained in Jamaica’s recently revised Extradition Act, and we are encouraged by the streamlined extradition process that led to the defendant’s appearance in federal court to face these charges.”
“Scammers like these are targeting the most vulnerable people in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, we are proud to prioritize and prosecute individuals who engage in such acts and commend our law enforcement partners who help make these results possible.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating scammers, domestically and internationally, who use the U.S. mail to enrich themselves by targeting and financially exploiting the most vulnerable of American consumers – the elderly,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “Today’s extradition exemplifies the Postal Inspection Service’s efforts to collaborate with foreign and domestic law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Lottery Scam Task Force and the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team provided critical assistance.
The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seeks to halt the widespread losses seniors suffer from fraud schemes. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Camp Hill Attorney Sentenced for Obstructing A Department of Labor InvestigationRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Charles W. Johnston, age 75, of Fairfax County, VA, was sentenced on July 8, 2022, to 12 months’ probation and a $50,000 fine by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson. Following a 4-day trial, Johnston was previously convicted in November 2021 of obstructing a United States Department of Labor (DOL) investigation regarding the administration of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520 Pension Plan.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Johnston maintained a law practice in Camp Hill, PA for over 40 years and served as legal counsel to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520 Health and Welfare, Pension, and Annuity Plans since 1972. In 2014, as the attorney for the Local 520 pension plan, Johnston handled the plan’s response to a federal subpoena for records in connection with the DOL’s investigation into the pension plan’s financial activities.
During trial, the government presented evidence that Johnson intentionally concealed and withheld from DOL investigators emails, documents, and an internal audit concerning miscalculations of the Local 520’s pension and health and welfare benefits. These incriminating documents, which the government established Johnston possessed and was aware of, revealed significant and material mismanagement of the pension fund, and their disclosure would have exposed the pension plan to further investigation. However, when asked by investigators whether all the requested documents had been produced, Johnson lied and stated he had done so.
“Like all attorneys, Charles Johnston began his career by swearing an oath to uphold the law. He ended that career decades later, by breaking it,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Interfering with a federal investigation is an attempt to subvert the course of justice. It’s a serious crime, and doubly so for an officer of the court. The FBI and our partners don’t allow people to work to undermine our cases. As this prosecution shows, doing so is an incredibly bad idea.”
“As the attorney for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520 Health and Welfare, Pension and Annuity Plans, Charles W. Johnston Esq., unlawfully obstructed a U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigation by deliberately concealing subpoenaed documents. The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General will continue to work with EBSA and our law enforcement partners to investigate those who attempt to obstruct the U.S. Department of Labor from protecting the integrity of labor unions and their affiliated benefit plans,” said Syreeta Scott, Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration is committed to ensuring the integrity of employee benefit programs and prosecuting those who fail to comply with its investigative authority by obstructing an investigation,” said Cristina O’Brien, Acting Regional Director of EBSA’s Philadelphia Regional Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) and Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA), along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Terz and Samuel Dalke prosecuted the case.
# # #
Monroe County Man Sentenced to 137 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ramon Williams, age 44, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 5, 2022, to 137 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on May 25, 2022, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of possessing two handguns in furtherance of drug trafficking, and to a separate count of distributing over 28 grams of crack cocaine. Charges were originally filed against Williams on March 20, 2019. Williams, however, failed to appear at a Court hearing on December 4, 2019, and absconded from pretrial supervision. He was located and arrested in Monroe County on March 24, 2022, and later pleaded guilty to the above charges.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stroud Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
###
Hazleton Man Sentenced to 25 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Pandemic Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fredy Mendoza, age 34, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to 300 months’ imprisonment for methamphetamine trafficking, and 18 months’ imprisonment for committing pandemic unemployment fraud, to run concurrent with the methamphetamine trafficking sentence.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on July 23, 2021, Mendoza pleaded guilty to conspiring with several other individuals to distribute and possess with intent to distribute between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Hazleton area between October 2019 and July 2020 and laundering between $40,000 and $95,000 in drug proceeds. He also pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine on December 9, 2019.
Mendoza also pleaded guilty to committing pandemic unemployment fraud while incarcerated and awaiting trial on the federal narcotics charges. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.
Mendoza pleaded guilty to conspiring with his codefendant, Christina Covey, formerly of Drums, Pennsylvania, to file false PUA applications on his behalf and for another federal inmate. The applications sought unemployment benefits for both inmates by claiming that they were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and available to work, despite their incarceration on underlying federal drug trafficking charges. The conspirators subsequently filed false weekly certifications required to continue receiving PUA benefits, ultimately securing nearly $30,000 dollars, which were mailed in debit cards to Covey. Mendoza was ordered to pay $29,799 in restitution.
Covey was also Mendoza’s codefendant in the methamphetamine trafficking case. Covey previously pleaded guilty to both methamphetamine trafficking, and to conspiring to commit pandemic unemployment fraud. She was sentenced by Judge Mannion to 48 months’ imprisonment for the methamphetamine trafficking, and 15 months’ imprisonment for committing pandemic unemployment fraud, five months of which were to run consecutive to the methamphetamine trafficking sentence.
The methamphetamine trafficking case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts. The pandemic fraud case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The narcotics investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was also part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
Doylestown Man Sentenced to 10 Years of Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ryan Eastman, age 29, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 7, 2022, to 120 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for his role in a conspiracy to distribute at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in central and southeastern Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Eastman and at least 22 other individuals conspired to and did distribute more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from June of 2017 until February 6, 2020, in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lancaster, Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as many law enforcement agencies in the counties where the distribution activities were occurring. Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Behe prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
Wellsboro Man Charged with Covid-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas Perkins, age 57, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, was charged on June 28, 2022, by a federal grand jury with perpetrating a fraud and money laundering scheme that included approximately $420,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The PPP is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds are offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Perkins, the sole proprietor of Well-Versed Oilfields, LLC (“Well-Versed”), a Wellsboro-based energy industry consulting firm, took out $465,000 in PPP loans in the name of Well-Versed, and then used $420,000 of those loan proceeds to buy a beach front vacation home in Dauphin Island, Alabama. In December of 2020, Perkins then asked for loan forgiveness for these funds, declaring in his loan forgiveness application that he used the funds for eligible pay costs, such as payroll costs, business mortgage interest payments, business rent or less payments, or business utility payments, and that at least 60% of the forgiveness amount was used for payroll costs. In reality, Perkins spent over 90% of the PPP loan amounts on the beach front vacation property, intending to be used as a secondary residence and a potential rental income source. Perkins is charged with one count each of Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Unlawful Money Transaction, and making a False Loan Application.
The case was investigated by the IRS, Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Wilkes-Barre Moving Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Failing to Pay Required Federal Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jason T. Cawley, age 44, owner of J Cawley Moving, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2022, before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Cawley, who was responsible, as owner of J Cawley Moving, for collecting and paying over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal payroll taxes, including Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes, willfully failed to pay over to the IRS these required taxes for the period from 2015 through 2019, in the total amount of $398,726.61.
These charges stem from an investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
# # #
Honduran Man Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fausto Lorenzo-Gomez, age 31, was charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Lorenzo-Gomez, a citizen of Honduras, had been deported in September 2019. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after that date. He was located in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania, during a traffic stop.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jaime M. Keating.
Lorenzo-Gomez faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
California Man Sentenced to 45 Months’ Imprisonment for His Role as A Courier for A Nationwide Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Esgardo Carrillo, age 29, of Stanton, California, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 45 months’ imprisonment and a 2-year term of supervised release, for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that moved large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine from California to various major Midwest and East Coast cities.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from at least mid-2018 until April of 2019, Carrillo coordinated a group of couriers, who packaged substantial quantities of illegal drugs in suitcases and transported them via commercial flights from West Coast locations to cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Milwaukee. Carrillo either himself took or coordinated at least 21 such trips during the conspiracy period. Upon arriving at their locations, Carrillo and the other couriers would pass on the illegal drugs to co-conspirators for local distribution.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
# # #
Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 180 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that yesterday Damian Julmal Navarro, age 27, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl, as well as for possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Navarro pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin/fentanyl, and to a second charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Navarro was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020. With the exception of Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB,” all other co-conspirators pleaded guilty. Gott was convicted after trial in August 2021, and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
# # #
Luzerne County Man Indicted for Mailing ThreatsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Charles Meininger, Jr., age 37, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for mailing threatening communications.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that, in October of 2021, Meininger mailed letters to General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks, threatening to kidnap and injure both of those officials along with Senator Nancy Pelosi. The indictment also alleges Meininger sent a threatening letter to a news journalist in Wilkes-Barre.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Northumberland County Man Charged with Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Alex Santiago, age 40, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was charged by a federal grand jury for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on June 15, 2022, Santiago was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber firearm loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition, in Mount Carmel. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
This case is also being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Non-Citizen Charged with Hindering Removal to Trinidad and TobagoRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brent Anthony Benito, age 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury for hindering removal.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Benito is a removable alien, with a valid order of removal. The indictment alleges that Benito knowingly took steps to prevent his own removal.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin.
Benito faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Monroe County Man Charged with Child Exploitation CrimeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jesse Diaz, age 53, of Sciota, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with a child exploitation crime involving accessing and viewing child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that Diaz used his Kik messenger account to access a private chat group dedicated to the distribution and sharing of child pornography with the intent to view minors, including a minor under the age of 12 years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon Divisions. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Mexican Man Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Williamsport charged Mario Hernandez-Gonzaga, age 40, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hernandez-Gonzaga was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on May 11, 2009. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime before November 5, 2021. He was found in the United States in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 2022, by Deportation Officers after failing to appear for court on DUI charges pending in Northumberland County.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.
Hernandez-Gonzaga faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Luzerne County Man Indicted on Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Antonio Menzell Clark, age 36, of Ashley, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a firearm charge.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on January 12, 2022, Clark possessed a handgun when he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, the United States Marshal Service and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Federal Inmate Charged with Possessing A WeaponRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hubert Carter, age 41, a federal prison inmate, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about June 9, 2022, while an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, Carter possessed a 5.5 inch metal implement with a cloth handle capable of being used as a weapon.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Gerard M. Karam Sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gerard M. Karam was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The oath of office was administered by Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney by President Biden on April 22, 2022, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 13, 2022. Mr. Karam replaces John C. Gurganus, who was appointed United States Attorney by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on an interim basis on November 17, 2021.
Mr. Karam, of Dickson City, Pennsylvania, will lead the office which covers 33 Pennsylvania counties located in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam was a partner in the Scranton law firm of Mazzoni, Karam, Petorak and Valvano for 27 years, and served as the managing partner for 20 years. Mr. Karam’s practice focused on complex civil and criminal litigation. His experience includes corporate and individual representation on cases involving civil rights violations, corporate compliance laws, homicide, public corruption, tax evasion, drug offenses, fraud offenses, firearms offenses and personal injury claims.
Mr. Karam has a background in public service including serving as Assistant Public Defender in the County of Lackawanna from 1990-1993. In 1994, he was promoted to Chief Public Defender, a position he held for 10 years. From 2010-2022, Mr. Karam served as General Counsel to the Housing Authority of Lackawanna County, a Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agency.
Mr. Karam is a former President of the Lackawanna Bar Association. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam earned a Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph’s University in 1984 and received his law degree in 1987 from Loyola University School of Law.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be sworn in as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement and community partners in pursuit of justice.”
# # #
Williamsport Man Sentenced to 192 Months’ Imprisonment on Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joel Kiessling, age 55, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 192 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, for child exploitation offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Kiessling previously entered a guilty plea in November 2018, to attempting to entice a minor to travel for sexual purposes and possession of child pornography. Kiessling was in contact with multiple underage females and was attempting to have them travel to Pennsylvania from out of state to have sex with him.
Based on Kiessling’s prior offenses, Chief Judge Brann found that Kiessling was fully aware of the potential consequences of his actions yet remained undeterred.
The case was investigated by the Williamsport Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
# # #
Northumberland County Man Charged with Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alex Santiago, age 40, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal complaint on June 15, 2022, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, on June 15, 2022, Santiago was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber firearm in Mount Carmel. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
This case is also being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal Complaints are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Four Men Indicted for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Noel Rivera-Lezama, age 35, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Ismael Rivera-Lezama, age 34, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Devon Fleming, age 28, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and Ramsee Anthony Munoz, age 32, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine and 40 grams and more of fentanyl in Northumberland and Columbia Counties on multiple occasions from April 2021 until the present.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case is also being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
New York Man Sentenced to Twenty-Four Months’ Imprisonment for Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marlon Valoy De La Rosa, age 23, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced on June 8, 2022, to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,138.01 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 4, 2020, at approximately 4:30 AM, Steelton Borough Police observed De La Rosa along with two other individuals tampering with a U.S. Mail blue collection box in the Borough of Steelton, Pennsylvania. One individual, later identified as Enrique Reyes, used what appeared to be a white rope with an object attached to it to “fish” into the mailbox’s opening while a second individual, later identified as Josue Peguero, stood nearby as a lookout. De La Rosa drove the vehicle in which the individuals arrived and left the scene.
Following a traffic stop, the individuals were found to be in possession of numerous debit cards in different names, none of which matched De La Rosa, Reyes, or Peguero. De La Rosa possessed a receipt from a fraudulent ATM transaction using a stolen check and a stolen, washed check belonging to a different individual.
The investigation showed that De La Rosa, Reyes, and Peguero had conducted multiple fraudulent debit card transactions in New York City just prior to traveling to the Harrisburg area and had also recently traveled to the Boston area, where they had gone mail fishing and obtained additional checks from the mail. Their debit card transactions involved the use of stolen, altered checks and debit cards belonging to other people. The investigation further determined that the three had been involved in the stealing of checks and the depositing of these checks in a fraudulent manner for several months leading up to the time of their arrest.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Steelton Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
# # #
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in the Murder of A Federal Witness and Two OthersRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jerell Adgebesan, age 34, of Baltimore and Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to participating in the June 25, 2016, murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The guilty plea was before United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner. Adgebesan faces a possible life sentence.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the charges against Adgebesan were the result of a six-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, all to have been shot in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and once in the head. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene. Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea proceeding established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operation. Coles, White and co-defendant Devin Dickerson learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Adgebesan and co-defendant Kenyatta Corbett recruited members of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family and others from Baltimore to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore. The killers were promised that they could take as payment $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Coles, White, Dickerson, Corbett, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms.
Adgebesan, along with other individuals, were charged in connection with the investigation:
- Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty after a guilty trial in April of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and is awaiting sentencing;
- Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and is awaiting sentencing;
- Kenyatta Corbett, age 38, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and is awaiting sentencing;
- Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, age 22, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
- Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
- Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire and is awaiting sentencing
- Mark Johnson, age 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and is awaiting sentencing; and
- Llesenia Woodard, age 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing.
Joshua Davis, age 30, previously pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders. Davis was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment. Torey White’s trial is scheduled for January 2023.
The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run.” OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Possession of A WeaponRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Coke, age 23, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), and Devonte Andrews, age 29, an inmate at FCI Allenwood, were charged separately yesterday by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two federal inmates were charged with possessing contraband in prison:
- Coke was found in possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 14, 2022; and
- Andrews was found in possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 16, 2022.
The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the cases.
If convicted, Coke faces a maximum of five years of incarceration and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Lebanon Man Sentenced for Threatening to Murder Members of the United States SenateRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a former attorney, Kenelm L. Shirk, age 72, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to time served of 16 months and 20 days’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, and one year of supervised release with conditions by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, for threatening to murder members of the United States Senate.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on March 7, 2022, Shirk pleaded guilty to making threats to murder Democratic members of the United States Senate. On January 21, 2021, Shirk made threats to murder Democratic members of the United States Senate in retaliation for the performance of their official duties on January 6, 2021. Later that day, on January 21, 2021, Pennsylvania State Police troopers arrested Shirk while he was en route to Washington D.C. A search of Shirk’s vehicle recovered two handguns and an AR-15 rifle and loaded magazines, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Shirk has remained in custody since this incident when bail was denied. As part of his supervision, Shirk was ordered to comply with psychiatric counseling, forfeit the weapons and ammunition involved with the case and provide a DNA sample.
The Court expressed gratitude to the law enforcement responders and Chambersburg Hospital staff for their efforts in this matter.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, the Cornwall Police Department, and the Washington D.C. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating prosecuted the case.
# # #
Cumberland County Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements Concerning Her Daughter’s Medical CareRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Shelley Noreika, age 48, of Newville, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for false statements relating to health care matters.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Noreika admitted that on or about February 4, 2020, she made false statements concerning her 5-year-old daughter to medical providers. Noreika told her daughter to pretend having a seizure while Noreika videotaped her. Noreika then emailed the video clip of the fake seizure to her daughter’s pediatric neurologist, along with false statements concerning the minor child’s medical condition. On multiple other occasions, Noreika also falsely reported to medical providers that her daughter experienced seizures, when in fact no such seizures occurred. Noreika never witnessed her daughter have an actual seizure on February 4, 2020, or on any other date. Noreika misled medical providers concerning the health and condition of her daughter knowing they would rely on her false statements in their diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Pursuant to the terms of a written plea agreement, the parties agreed the offense involved a loss amount exceeding $95,000 but less than $150,000, which includes costs borne by insurers and the government for the daughter’s unnecessary medical treatment and visits.
Noreika no longer cares for the minor child, and she also faces related state charges which are pending.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense charged is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
# # #
York County Man Sentenced to over 19 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Jeremy Acevedo, age 31, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 235 months in prison, for drug trafficking and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Acevedo pleaded guilty to trafficking over five kilograms of methamphetamines, trafficking fentanyl, and being in possession of firearms as a convicted felon. The drugs and firearms were seized during a June 17, 2021, search warrant at Acevedo’s York home. During the search, police arrested Acevedo and seized 17 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, firearms, and other drug trafficking materials. Acevedo was a previously convicted felon and prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the York County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
# # #
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Possessing Weapons and Drugs in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two federal inmates were indicted separately yesterday by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood) inmates were indicted for:
- Jeffery Wood, age 26, possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 19, 2020; and
- Jeffrey Lamarche, age 43, possession of a sharpened metal shank, and several strips of paper soaked in a Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid on May 18, 2020.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel are prosecuting the cases.
If convicted, Wood and Lamarche face a maximum of five years of incarceration and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Possessing Phones in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two federal inmates were charged separately by criminal informations yesterday for possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two federal inmates were charged with possessing phones in prison:
- Christopher Edwards, age 51, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, possessed an iPhone on October 22, 2021;
- Angel Anchondo, age 20, an inmate at the Low Security Correctional Institution, Allenwood, possessed an LG cellphone on December 15, 2021.
Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones to ensure institutional security.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel are prosecuting the cases.
If convicted, Edwards and Anchondo face a maximum of one year of incarceration and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal indictments and informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Mexican Man Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Martin Perez-Amaro, age 33, of Mexico, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury and charged with illegal reentry into the United States.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Perez-Amaro had been deported in September 2018, and is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after that date. He was located in Lackawanna County on May 8, 2022.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #